Keonjhar: Using the special power vested on them by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Sarpanch of Hatadihi Gram Panchayat in Keonjhar district on Friday ordered for 48-hour shutdown in three villages to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The locality, which had witnessed a sudden surge in migrants from other states will be sanitized during this period.

The Sarpanch announced the shutdown following three COVID-19 positive cases in the area. The panchayat covers six villages-Ana, Gopa, Hatadihi, Jalakalanga, Kapundi and Mantha. With announcement of the shutdown, public and vehicular movement has been strictly restricted in the three villages.